Getting started on Underworld Dreams is not an easy
task; particularly if you are unfamiliar to MUDs. This guide is here to
help accomodate you and make your stay more enjoyable. It is advised that
all new players read this guide - not simply the ones who are unfamiliar to
online text-based gaming.

Logging on: click the 'connect' button below, or point your favorite
telnet client to "dreams.daestroke.com" port 3000. You will be asked for a
name and a password to distinguish you from the other players. You will
then be asked to choose your race. You can type
a name to view the helpfile for each race. You will then be asked your
sex, and then your class. Your race and class
will determine your skills, spells, and abilities within the game. It is
recommended that you choose 'Warrior' as your class if you are new to the
game, since they are the easiest to understand and play.

In the game: The following commands are vital for all players
to know and understand.

Type 'help <subject>' to view a helpfile, and always try to read the helpfiles
before asking questions on public channels.

Naming your character: Names from popular movies and books are not acceptable at Underworld
Dreams. (Really obscure stuff we might miss). If you're having trouble thinking of a suitable
name, here are some name resources:

Playing the game: We recommend that you follow the instructions in
the newbie area thoroughly, unless you've been through it before. The area
is a school designed to teach you about the game and its history. It also
contains a very good set of newbie gear, some of it hidden. There is a
mini-quest and when you've completed it you can enter the portal leading
you into the main town, Karandras. Any time you get lost in the school you
can type RECALL to get taken back to the
first floor of the temple. While you can escape the temple before 4th level,
RECALL will continue to take you back there until you reach 4th level.

The rest of the world is schematically
shown in the 'MAP' helpfile.
range. You can see what area you are in by typing 'WHERE'. A big part of the
game is exploring and finding new items and slaying exotic monsters, so...EXPLORE!
Recommended leveling areas are the Chocobo Forest, the Graveyard, the Temple Vaults,
and the Elemental Canyon. The AREAS command will
show you all of the places you can explore, sorted by the recommended level ranges
and will be an invaluable aid to determined where to go next.

When you find treasure and magical items, you can compare it with your current
equipment by typing 'COMPARE <new object> <object you are wearing>'. This will give you
an idea of which equipment to use. The wizard in town also sells scrolls of
identify. Also in town, you can find food at the baker, and can drink from
the fountain or buy a waterskin from the grocer. Basic weapons and armour
are also sold in the town, and you can deposit your money into the bank to
keep it safe from thieves. There is a mortician who can retrieve your body
for a price if you've left it somewhere too dangerous to venture back to,
and the Shrine to Thoth reveals the magical properties of all items in your
inventory while you stand within it.

Player killing and dying: A big part of Underworld Dreams is the player
killing system, and chances are, you will be killed by someone. You will be
safe until level five, but will then be prey to anyone your level. At level 6
you can begin raising your PK Tolerance. This value is added your level to decide
who you can try to kill -- but it also decides who can kill you!
If this happens, or if a monster kills you, don't be discouraged. To slow down how
often you can be PKed, you can use the CONFIG command to set the PKTIMER. When the
PKTIMER is on, you have a 5 minute safe time from other players.
Pick yourself up, go get the objects from your corpse, and start plotting revenge.

Last thoughts: After reading this file, you
should be ready to take the world by storm -- or at least give it a shot. Other
players and immortals are usually online and willing to answer intelligent,
well-phrased questions. Good luck.